Adopting their report on the Commission proposal for Key competences for lifelong learning, on 26 September 2006, MEPs urged the member states to implement various national strategies on the issue. Even though the idea of lifelong learning is now widespread and its potential benefits for a knowledge-based society acknowledged, far too few people are learning new skills once they have left school, MEPs argue.
The aim of defining the key competences for lifelong learning at EU level is to provide a reference tool for policymakers, education providers, employers and learners on the way towards active citizenship, social cohesion and employability. The MEPs highlighted issues such as knowledge of contemporary events and a sense of initiative and entrepreneurship.
The Quality charter for student mobility offers guidelines to help students prepare for their stay abroad, give support and guidance during their stay and help reintegration after their return. The overall aim is to increase labour market mobility and to better exploit Europe's educational resources. Adopting their report on the Commission proposal, MEPs discussed issues such as portability of government grants and loans between country of origin and host.
Both proposals, the aim of which is to contribute to the Lisbon Agenda goals by equipping citizens with skills needed to live and work in a knowledge-based society, were adopted in their first reading following agreement with Council (no second reading necessary).
